• Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Nov 23, 1998
User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 1052 Ratings

User score distribution:

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  1. May 24, 2013
    10
    This game is an absolute classic that everyone needs to play. It really is as good as they say. Definitely one of the best games of all time. If you haven't played this game then you need to do so.
  2. May 22, 2013
    10
    One of the greatest games of all time, if not THE greatest. This was the game that broke down boundaries for gamers and for the first time really showed what a game can represent to people. You can speak to any gamer in the world and they all have their own personal Ocarina of Time moment.
  3. May 14, 2013
    10
    The best game I have ever played. I have played & finished this game at least once every year since its release. It doesn't get old. It has aged beautifully and will continue to provide me with hours of entertainment in a way no other game at present can.
  4. May 12, 2013
    10
    I don't need to say much. You've heard about this game and its now legendary place in gamers' hearts. Nothing has ever come close to the magic I felt playing this at 10 years old. Everything about this game is rolled into a perfect burrito. Indeed, no game has come as close to perfection in every way as this one.
  5. May 10, 2013
    10
    One of the greatest games of all time that has aged to become an instant classic it was amazing back then and its still amazing now this is a game you can not miss if you call your self a gamer
  6. May 3, 2013
    10
    A game that is played by kids and adults alike, Ocarina of Time is a timeless classic. Every aspect of it from gameplay to the soundtrack is spectacular. If you want an amazing story with sides of challenging puzzles, then look no further...although not for the faint of mind *coughs* Water Temple.
  7. Apr 30, 2013
    10
    This is an incredible game, you can play for hours and hours and don't get bored because all the elements are really great: the history, the levels, the characters...everything is marvelous. Undoubtedly one of the best video games ever, and one of my favorites.
  8. Apr 8, 2013
    10
    Really, this is one of the games I grew up with. Just seeing the title screen makes me feel better again. All these negative reviews are just people who think they are cool or something downing this game. When really, they probably love it just as much as we do. Plain and simple this game is perfect.
  9. Mar 11, 2013
    0
    This game has no story, no gameplay, and terrible design throughout. It is unfortunately one of the worst games ever made and one of the most pathetic excuses for a video game. It gave me a huge headache because of its terrible graphics and character design. Avoid at all costs.
  10. Mar 8, 2013
    10
    Try this game yourself People needn't review perfect games Just for the reamining characters i'll write random thigs thats enough
  11. Mar 8, 2013
    6
    This game is okay and all, but a 99/100? Really? I don't think it deserves that. As with most games on the n64, the graphics and gameplay haven't aged well at all, and although it is a good game expirence, the replay value just isn't there. I think that Majora's Mask was a much better sequel, but how did that score 4 entire points lower than this? Unless you have some sort of rabies for nostalgia, don't bother with this; skip straight to better titles like Banjo-Kazooie or Conker's Bad Fur Day. Expand
  12. Mar 3, 2013
    10
    This game has awesome graphics, amazing music, cool little secrets, tons of random areas to explore, perfect controls, silly dialogue, fun puzzles and very unique dungeons. It's definitely a perfect game, and anyone who says otherwise doesn't know true gaming.
  13. Mar 1, 2013
    10
    Ocarina of Time, the only game I could think of for my first review on Metacritic. Ever since I first got into this game as a kid I was fascinated by the world, exploring everywhere not knowing where I was going or what to do. Despite this I was captured by the deepness the game had to offer by the expensive world alone...and I wouldn't even get into the story until almost a decade later. The game kept me busy, finding new places with seemingly no end in sight. I would often think the game had literally no end to it. After multiple times renting the game I would finally get a copy for my own eagerly on the Wii, wanting to experience the fullness of a game that I had adored....and I sure wasn't alone in that regard. What I had come to expect was beyond my expectations. I had already played Twilight Princess and that was already a classic to me, but Ocarina of Time went even further than that game could even achieve. The story is simple but well done. The gameplay is as good as it gets, with epic boss battles, clever and balanced puzzles, and an excellent level of challenge that is still unmatched by any game I've played thus far. The atmosphere this world gives is beyond words I could even put down. You want to save Zelda and defeat Ganondorf, and save Hyrule for all the characters you have met along the way and yourself as well. Items are endlessly interesting to discover and you would be surprised to find so many hidden places in one game. Its mind boggling. There are no places to get stuck at without clear and open thinking and exploration. The game doesn't drag on either as you are constantly surprised and interested to see what happens next. To date this is the only game I have ever spent 10 hours playing without stopping. I would never do that again, but that shows how addictive the game is. People say a game is never perfect. Well if this game isn't, it sure comes pretty darn close. I have yet to play a Link to the Past, but I truly do believe that if their is any game that can be called the greatest game ever made, this is one of those games that deserves it. Thank you Nintendo for all the memories and keep going strong. Expand
  14. Feb 24, 2013
    10
    The game that is considered by many the greatest of all time. I am just thankful to have witnessed this epic adventure back then and i´ll never forget the experience that i have made with OoT.
  15. Feb 21, 2013
    10
    One of the greatest game ever created, i used to play this before and still, its awesome as it was before when it was plan new on the gaming market. Classic favorite.
  16. Feb 13, 2013
    10
    Greatest game of all time, hands down. Nothing else to say other than that any negative reviews are simply from people who can't stand a game to be so legendary.
  17. Feb 12, 2013
    10
    This is one of the best video games that ever existed, it is memorable, fun, addicting, and challenging, no matter if you played a video game before or a hardcore Zelda fan give this game a try.
  18. Jan 29, 2013
    8
    This is a great game. Smooth as could be. Z targeting works like a charm, and the affect this game had upon 3D action platformers cannot be understated, but I found one flaw in the game that completely unraveled the entire experience for me; am I saving Hyrule, or just one person? There are hardly more than twenty people in Hyrule, and they don't seem changed by the events that are going on. If I don't know who I;m meant to be saving, then I often can't be bothered. Fantastic game in every other aspect. Expand
  19. Jan 23, 2013
    5
    I'm conflicted here. To say I didn't enjoy anything in this game would be a lie, but to say I enjoyed all of it would be too.

    The story is simple, and has a predictable ending and an underwhelming final boss battle. In fact most of the boss battles are forgettable. The areas are simple themed areas with the most bland getting a second run once you take a 7 year nap.

    The game is reall
    y dated. Only those who played it at launch could give this game 10s. The puzzles are easy, the combat is really simple, and the gear is game breaking or useless outside it's first appearance.

    As the first and only game in the franchises I've played and beat, this game has entirely turned me off of the franchise. And no it wasn't the water temple.
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  20. wou
    Jan 16, 2013
    0
    jogo q me fez ter odio da serie... jogabilidade de merda, level design ridiculo, chefes faceis e previsiveis.. tudo nesse jogo é uma grande merda, não sei como nego baba tanto ovo pra esse jogo
  21. Jan 15, 2013
    10
    pure mastepiece. This is still and always will be one of the best games ever made for any playform, one of the best games of ALL TIME. The story, the plot, from beginning to end flows like a river. The items, the weapons are amazing. This is Zelda at it's peak and it doesn't get any better.Perfect game.
  22. Jan 3, 2013
    10
    Just the Greatest game of all time!!! FACT THAT IT HAS GREAT STORY, GAME-PLAY, CONTROLS, SIDE-QUEST, GREAT EVERYTHING, AND THE MUSIC OH MY GOD THE FRICKING MUSIC (sorry cant cruse)
  23. Jan 3, 2013
    10
    To put it simply, Nintendo have made a masterpiece and seem to do this every time they release a game; raising the bar time and time again. This game is simply breathtaking, and its graphics may be a tiny bit dated, but that's one of the main reasons why a 3DS version was released. But this doesn't matter, what matters is it's fantastic plot, epic battles and most of all it's status of being one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time. Expand
  24. Dec 30, 2012
    10
    This is the Sgt. Peppers of gaming. It's perfect in length, the storyline is incredible, the characters are deep and likeable, the dungeons have some of deepest puzzles the Nintendo 64 can offer. Its a masterpiece beyond belief.
  25. Dec 20, 2012
    10
    There are a lot of people who call this game overrated, but this game is truly one of the greatest games of all time, with most of the other greatest games being other Zelda games.
  26. Dec 11, 2012
    10
    This game is over all amazing. It is by far the best game i have ever played. There is never a dull moment in the game. The controls are great and temples/dudgeon are all memorable. The soundtrack is amazing, not to mention songs on the Ocarina. Truly one of the best games of all time.
  27. Dec 8, 2012
    10
    People call it the best game ever, and I don't disagree. I'm on board with them! BEST GAME EVER MADE. I would give this game a 10/10. There are no problems, and definitely recommended.
  28. Dec 7, 2012
    10
    This is the best game ever!
    no other game can mess with it!
    This is the HOLY BIBLE of games!
    I have it, ORIGINAL!
    I hope Nintendo makes a movie from that game...
  29. Dec 3, 2012
    9
    Ocarina of Time is one of the most influential games of all time. Back in 1998 it was undoubtedly the best game ever made. Now things have evolved beyond recognition. Is Ocarina of Time still the best game ever? I don't think so. Not with titles like Red Dead Redemption and Journey available. But it would still make my top twenty best. And it still is and forever will be the most memorable game of all time. Nothing has ever come close to blowing me away quite the way Ocarina of Time did when I first played through it as a kid. Expand
  30. Nov 28, 2012
    9
    Best single player game ever made, no debate. This is an amazing game. Kid link to adult link was cumtastic. Gannon is awesome. This game took over my life as a child.
  31. Nov 27, 2012
    10
    Simplemente, la obra maestra de la industria.
    Ocarina of Time supo aparecer en el momento justo, con los elementos indicados en la dosis correcta, algo que al día de hoy siguen ponderando a este título como el mas grande jamas creado.
    La jugabilidad es limpia y directa, y a pesar de la gran cantidad de funciones que se incluían (varias, por primera vez en la saga) y
    modificaban, es increíblemente intuitiva. Gráficamente, el juego representó un quiebre en su tiempo, marcando el rumbo definitivo que el género tomaría de ahí en mas. La banda sonora en simplemente exquisita, conformada por pistas dignas de las mas importantes orquestas y que siguen transcendiendo a pesar del tiempo. La narrativa es, es un palabra, única. El concepto clásico de "bien vs. mal" o "héroe salva a la princesa" se implementaron de una manera muy original, combinando ambientes perfectamente diseñados para cada situación y plagados de personajes con carácter y personalidad propios, todo llevado a un ritmo perfecto con giros de trama impecables.
    Ocarina of Time tiene ganado su trono en lo mas alto, y se ha posicionado para la posteridad como la historia que se convirtió en leyenda (un título que tiene por demás merecido).
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  32. Nov 20, 2012
    10
    Still the best game ever. The only problem is the framerate, but that is forgivable. It's still got a great soundtrack, fun gameplay, and perhaps the best dungeons in a Zelda game
  33. 4DI
    Nov 18, 2012
    9
    Probably the best the N64 had to offer. It defined itself as a franchise. Yet, it's overhyped. I had fun, and this classic is worth a play through. I would play Majora's mask over Ocarina of Time any day.
  34. Nov 15, 2012
    10
    The game is the quintessence of the word EPIC. The game has one of the best stories of all time, the gameplay is incredible for it's time. Link is the perfect example of what a hero should be.
  35. Oct 28, 2012
    10
    I really love this game. The story is every emotional and different. The temples are not as great as Ocarina of Time but the temples don't play a major part in the whole game as they did in OoT.
  36. Oct 27, 2012
    10
    My favourite experience of any video game! Absolutely awesome! Probably worth checking out the 3DS version. I have played this many times now, and enjoy it more, each time! Sad to see the series high point be so far back in the distance, at this time! ahhh.. memories! Nintendo.. get a NEW team that can put together a game this awesome, for the modern age.. please!!!
  37. Oct 17, 2012
    10
    It's Super Mario 64 mixed with Lord of the Rings epicness. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a damn fine game to play any time at all. Who doesn't love Link time-travelling between the present and the future using the Temple of Time as the portal?

    When I first played this I was overwhelmed by how epic it was. They just don't make video games like this anymore, except for the recen
    t Zelda games. Expand
  38. Oct 8, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Call us crazy, but when the final version of Zelda 64 arrived in the IGN64 offices, we stopped working, locked ourselves into a room with a big-screen TV and a surround system and played 17 hours straight. After only a few hours of sleep, we were back for more and we couldn't stop until we finished the game. Then, we started over again to find all the secrets. Expand
  39. Oct 8, 2012
    8
    Good game, but in my opinion it doesn't surpass the other 3D Zelda games. I don't find any challenge in it, the story is cliché as hell, and there are only a couple side quests. On the other hand, there are a couple cool characters like Saria and Darunia, a Zelda that ISN'T an emotionless plot convenience, and the music isn't half bad. Too bad that so many people feel such insane nostalgia for it that they randomly hate on all the other Zelda games. If you're thinking of joining the franchise, I recommend you try out Twilight Princess before this one, because it lacks the charm that most other Zelda games have. Final Score: 8.1 Expand
  40. Sep 9, 2012
    10
    Now I never give a game a perfect score... But I simply cannot give Ocarina of Time anything lower then a 10. This game is on a level of its own. Perhaps the best game to come out on a Nintendo System, this game raised the bar for 3D gaming and still stands at the top. When OoT came out I immediately begged my parents for this game. Nintendo power raved about this game, and every person I knew with a Nintendo 64 owned it. Once I got a hold of this game I sat in front of my television for weeks until I beat everything this bad boy offered. 13+ years later and I still re-beat this game at least once a year. Any person willing to call themselves a gamer HAS to play this game. From a designer perspective this game was about 10 years ahead of its time in terms of quality gameplay. For those of us old enough to remember video games prior to current and last gen consoles, we all remember the classic side scrollers and there leap to 3D. Unfortunately, most of those series died with the jump to 3-D. Zelda, on the other hand, took that leap and then some with Ocarina of Time. The game is just that good.

    For those of you who never played a Zelda game before, the Zelda series is composed of Action/Adventure games that put the gamer in a fantasy world known as Hyrule. The gamer always plays as the protagonist, Link, and is almost always sent on a task of rescuing the Princess Zelda from the clutches of the Dark Lord Ganon. Ocarina of Time is no different. The entire story in a nut shell is the "fairy boy" Link is sent on a quest to save Hyrule from the clutches of Ganon. During your adventure you must dwell thru 8-9 dungeons, slay massive bosses, and save Princess Zelda. You can expect a great story and about 30 hours of gameplay for your first playthrough. Obvious, those of you wishing to 100% the game will probably need to spend well over 30 hours to complete the entire game without the use of a guide. Moving forward, the gameplay is the "bread and butter" of the series. In Ocarina of Time you can expect to tackle hundreds of puzzles, slay tons monsters, obtain dozens of items, and complete many minigames during your adventure. The combat system really shines in this game with the use of "Z-Targeting." Z-targeting basically allows the players to lock onto a monster or item with a simple tap of the Z button. This allows the player to stay focused on the enemy they want to be fighting (this was also one of the first games to introduce such a feature). The general idea of Ocarina of Time is to find and complete 8 dungeons before confronting Ganon in a final battle. These dungeons are big and packed with puzzles that test the players skill and knowledge. Each dungeon requires the player to find a certain item and boss key before battling the dungeon's final boss. On top of these dungeons, OoT has a massive overworld where the player can interact with citizens of Hyrule, play minigames, hunt for heart pieces and treasure, or just explore the terrain. As I mentioned before this was a massive game for its time. Most players will spend 30-50 hours completing this game.

    Finally, the Zelda series is probably most known for its music. OoT continues not to disappoint us and delivers dozens of memorial tunes. From the overworld theme to the magical songs you unlock to help Link in his quest, the music leaves no disappointment. Even 14 years after this game came out, these songs still sound beautiful. Lets just say this game alone made the sales of Ocarina musical instruments soar. There is no words to describe how much I love this game. I'm a typical gamer that enjoys the big shooters that most people play today (CoD, Halo, Gears of War, etc...) Even though I have literally days-weeks of playing time on those games, I still do not consider them anywhere near Zelda; Especially Ocarina of Time. As I said before, I still go back to beat this game at least once a year. The game has aged extremely well and is still a blast to play. Although the graphics and technology may be old, Ocarina of Time still remains the highest scored game by critics world wide. Do yourselves a favor and buy this game for N64, Gamecube, Wii-Virtual Console, or 3DS. Its well worth the $10-30.

    Graphics 10/10 (for its time)
    Sound 10/10
    Gameplay 10/10
    Re-playability 10/10
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  41. Sep 6, 2012
    10
    The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is definitely the greatest game of all time, even to this day, no one has told a story as well as Nintendo has, and defined gameplay in a way that still stands above everything else all these years
  42. Sep 2, 2012
    10
    This game deserves nothing less than a 10, and we all know it!!! What an epic adventure this game is. The graphics, music, gameplay were and still can be considered marvelous. Due to graphics nowadays most 64 titles are somewhat hard to really get into, but this game will be playable for years, maybe decades to come. If you haven't played through this game, do whatever is necessary to do so because you will not regret it. Seriously, my life would not be the same without playing this game, except I would have the 5 hours back it took me figure out the passage under the moving platform in the water temple! Expand
  43. Aug 29, 2012
    10
    What can I say that hasn't been said?Nothing.It's almost if not completely perfect! Gameplay is pure,Zelda awesomeness.Oh yeah and if you said it was boring,it's because you suck at it and you only like fps games where all you do is run in and go,"I'M RAMBO!!!!BAMBLAMCHIGGABOOM!". These people are what I call "fraggots" fps nerds who hate anything without guns and judge everything by graphics.Hence the word "frag" coming from "frag grenade",often used in fps games.Though Nintendo geeks can get annoying,too.But,I've gotten sidetracked.The controls,story,graphics (for it's time),gameplay,characters, and overall nostalgia are amazing.A 10 out of 10.An almost (if not completely) perfect game! Expand
  44. Aug 26, 2012
    10
    Simply brilliance. Combat is amazing, puzzles are well thought out, best video game soundtrack in my opinion (sorry Final Fantasy fans), perfect game time (not so long that it gets boring, but not too short that you wish there was more), interesting story and cool items. This is a game that just screams "Hello Childhood". 10/10 :)
  45. Aug 23, 2012
    10
    First time I played this game was 2011. At first, I was annoyed at the cut-scenes, but then after finishing the Deku Tree, I continued to play for an additional five hours. Overall - best game I've ever payed.
  46. Aug 21, 2012
    9
    i am a huge zelda-fan, cause this serie is fantastic in gameplay and atmospheric music, and naturally i loved also this game that time. it was a huge step forward for videogames as "Tomb Raider" and "GTA III" were and in those days when "Ocarina of Time" was released it was with no doubt the best game. And though i am always happy to see that "Ocarina o.T." is on the first place in some all-Time-charts, cause this serie has deserved this place, i think it's not a timeless jewel. Gameplay and everything was great, but this early 3D-graphics on Nintendo 64 and Playstation 1 feel so dated today, that i even prefer the graphics of the 16-bit era (Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, ...). A great game, for sure! an amazing game, yes! but today the graphics destroy this experience more than in even older games. So i give just a 9 out of 10. Expand
  47. Aug 10, 2012
    10
    Ocarina of Time is the best game ever made; I need not give the full title of this game let alone explain the ranking. Words cannot describe this game. It was the first 3D Zelda game, and it's one of the most epic games of all time. This game is old, but it never gets old. It's stood the test of time, and after 12 years this game is still the best. I have never heard anyone saying anything remotely negative about this game, so I know that this is the correct ranking. This is THE golden standard of video games. This game is the reason I will never sell my Nintendo 64. Critic score is a 99? Anything less than a 100 is a sham. It's very true that there's no such thing as a perfect game, but everything in the world is completely arbitrary without an accepted standard. This game is the standard because it's the highest rated game of all time (Guinness World Records officially named it such). You have no choice but to compare this game to every other game. it is perfect in every way. It never gets boring and everything about it is just...perfect. Expand
  48. Aug 9, 2012
    10
    Easily the BEST game i have ever played! From the beautiful world of hyrule, to the lovable characters, to the fun, and brutal dungeons, this game achieves everything with perfection. There is literally nothing bad i can say about this game. It is video games biggest achievement, has been the highest rated game since release, and anyone who disagrees is a hater, never played, or just crazy. Just know that OOT will always be better than your favorite game. :) Expand
  49. Aug 6, 2012
    10
    Honestly, this is the only Zelda game I've played all the way through, and while I don't consider it the best game EVAR or anything, it's definitely one of the best for the N64. The graphics are what you'd expect from the N64, but the music is great and the story is pretty good. The gameplay is fun and fairly diverse, though I always found the beginning to be a bit slow. If you never played this classic, you owe it to yourself to do so. Expand
  50. Jul 31, 2012
    10
    Nintendo has outdone themselves in this classic. The best story. It's graphics were best. The music one of the best soundtracks in any game. It's so fun. It's very addicting. And very creative. The controls were amazing!!! I love this game!!!
  51. Jul 28, 2012
    10
    This is the single best no not only game but entertainment package. Ever. In my opinion and in many others. For many many many reasons. This game invented targeting systems which has been used my many many many games since. I think it has the best and easiest to grasp and relate too stories in a game ever. Its so simple yet if you want to get into it enough you will notice that nintendo has given you so much depth to read about and explore in the game. IT IS AN EPIC MY FRIENDS. Expand
  52. Jul 18, 2012
    10
    The game is great, no doubt, but compared to other Zelda games, it flaws come to light. Generic story, medium difficulty and some boring dungeons, quests & bosses

    IMO, Majora's Mask is the best Zelda game, is all that this game isn't and much more.
  53. Jul 17, 2012
    10
    In my not so humble opinion there are only 3 games in existence deserving of a "Perfect 10" - Chrono Trigger, Link to the Past, and Ocarina of Time. This game is flawless - I can't make one legitimate complaint about this game. The closest I can get is to complain about the water temple - but does the water temple make this game bad? Was it bad itself? I don't believe so - it was difficult: However it was still masterfully designed, and the way it all tied together was in my opinion beautiful in the end. Just because something is difficult, it shouldn't mean that it is inherently flawed. Difficulty is flawed when it's due to bad design - example being a game like Binding of Isaac where you can go through dungeons with tons of locked doors and chest but not one god damn key included in the entire stage - that's difficulty through bad design rather than difficulty by intention. Everything about Ocarina of time was absolutely perfect - the dungeon design, the overworld design, the villages, the music, the sound, the control scheme, the item variety... EVERYTHING. Best game of all time along with Chrono Trigger and Link to the Past, anyone that says otherwise simply doesn't know video games (or doesn't share my exquisite tastes) Expand
  54. Jul 14, 2012
    10
    The best game of every time. Perfect Artist Direction, Sounds and Graphics. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is in TOP 1 of any ranks. Only playing the game you will understand
  55. Jul 13, 2012
    10
    For all of those who gave this game low scores, you don't see why there are such good scores! This game was the first game to EVER use the Z-Targeting feature, which has helped me in all of the Zelda games that I have played. This game deserves all of the good reviews. Even though the graphics aren't that good now, they were very good when this game was made, and I know that I would play it again and again. It will be rated in my top 10 games ever for the rest of my life. There are so many side quests to perform, it just intrigues me how people can hate this game. It is like saying that the best game ever in a series just sucks because it is old Expand
  56. Jul 2, 2012
    10
    This game is one of if not the Best game Ever made. Rather It Brings you nostalgia or not it is a Perfect masterpiece. And for all those 9 year old retard Call of duty Fans. Who by the way has never played a game other than First person Shooters. I say Shame on you. And if your one of those Graphics hating Retards. This game Had some of the Best Graphics of any game in 1998. And if your Still irritated by the Graphics Buy the one for the 3ds it's graphics are Better. Point is The Games a outstanding. Expand
  57. Jun 30, 2012
    9
    Sometimes I hate saying this because there are a lot of equaly wonderful games out there, but this is my favorite game of all time. It is one of my most endearing childhood memories playing this game, and whenever I replay it I get that same feeling every time. I must have beaten this over a dozen times. It's like with harry potter fans who re-read the entire series just because they love it so much. Sometimes when I'm stressed or angry I play this game, it just relieves all of my frustration it can be like meditation sometimes after beating it so many times. I only give it a 9 because it's impossible for anything to be absolutey perfect. Expand
  58. Jun 28, 2012
    10
    The highest scoring game on Metacritic and every other review site/magazine/etc, and it's no lie. The story, gameplay, pace and every other factor cohere in a way that makes OoT an amazing adventure that will never be forgotten. Screwed into the golden side of gaming history through unbreakable forces, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a masterpiece to be respected by gamers and non-gamers as art. Expand
  59. Jun 25, 2012
    10
    This game is a masterpiece. The plot, gameplay, EVERYTHING, is pretty much amazing. I love the positive atmosphere, charming cast, and how clean it is. Its loads better then those stupid zombie and war games, uggggggghhhhhhh.
  60. Jun 23, 2012
    9
    For today´s standards Oot may look a little dated, and granted... a little too simple. But one has to understand the context of the time when it was released. Before Ocarina of time no character in videogame history had riden a horse that in god´s honest truth moved like a horse. The game was massive with lots of sidequesting and a degree of freedom that would not be exploided until the arrival of Grand Theft Auto III a few years later. This is the building blueprint of the modern action rpg game. Before it there was none, and though my personal favorite will always be Majora´s mask, I cannot feel but love for the craft and passion implemented into the game as a refinement constructed upon it´s predecesors, specially the excellent "A Link To the Past". There is just so much to do, from collecting items, to fishing to hunting Poes, many games nowadays wish they could play as simple, as intuitive and refined as Zelda Ocarina Of Time, the game that rightfully deserves the title of "Best game of all time" because of ONE thing... Innovation. (Also, it introduced the whole 1 button everything mechanic, now that I remember). Expand
  61. Jun 12, 2012
    10
    Absolute perfection. Nothing beats this game. Well, maybe Bioshock. But Ocarina of Time is a cherished nostalgic game to me. May the Triforce be with you.
  62. Jun 11, 2012
    10
    Some works of art are beyond criticism. Other things may be better than it, but its still as good as anyone could reasonably expect something to be. Ocarina of Time is that way. I've played through it, probably more than any other game. There's so much detail that, even though relatively linear, the game has better replay value than most I've seen. Even with my many playthroughs, I know there is some content I haven't seen. Crossing the desert -still- feels like a wild quest into the unknown, every time. I do, however, think Wind Waker is my favorite Zelda game. Expand
  63. Jun 10, 2012
    10
    To this day I myself still play it and still consider it my favorite game ever. Not because of great graphics, or online play, or anything else that current games have fallen into but because Zelda is a game that touched my heart like no other game ever has. Current game developers and enthusiasts need to look back at The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and reconsider the direction that games are going. Zelda mastered it, and for that we should honor it. Expand
  64. Jun 5, 2012
    9
    I was recently spoiled by the 3DS port of this legendary game, and while I recommend the 3DS version over the N64 version do to the 3DS version having more content, better controls, and updated graphics, this game is fantastic no matter which system you play it on. A fantastic story, near perfect controls, what may be the greatest soundtrack of all time, gorgeous graphics (for the time), fun and challenging gameplay, and a lot of content are all what this game has. This game, particularly this port of the game, has withstood the test of time, and is without a doubt one of the greatest games of all time that is completely deserving of every ounce of praise it has received. A must play. Expand
  65. Jun 5, 2012
    10
    One of the most perfectly worked out games in adventure genre. No flaws to be detected, fluent and action rich gameplay, interesting puzzles and quests, wide open world with a perfect balanced progress and excellent mixture of story based progress and free exploring. That time in the past even nice graphics, still nice aesthetics. The only little cute thing that doesnt make the game a 100% perfect: Navi just drives one crazy after some time. Expand
  66. May 29, 2012
    9
    The best adventure game of all times. Cool battle mechanics, hard puzzles, huge dungeons and maps and lots of curious stuff. The mechanic is pretty easy and yet, very addictive. As you explore the different areas, you'll discover how some places are out of reach. As you keep finding new items and learn new tricks, you'll be able to gain access to new areas and face harder and harder puzzles. This game can give you 20 or maybe 30 hours of fun (depends how many time you'll need to clear the dungeons and bosses). Also, the soundtrack is one of the best ever made for a videogame. Expand
  67. May 28, 2012
    10
    What is there to say? This is gaming at its best. OOC and Majoras Mask are the 2 best games I can think of in this genre. Nothing has come close to matching these 2 games. They really don't make games like this any more. Quality, and fun to play. Well thought out and well made.
  68. May 22, 2012
    10
    This game is awsome. Played it again on my N64 a short time back and its still awsome. Awsome story and when it was new it still had some challenges in it. That something that lacks in some new games now-a-days. This game is the first game i rly loved and I still do!
  69. May 14, 2012
    10
    It's sad that until today there hasn't been anything that grasps the sense of magic that OoT brought forth upon playing. However that is simply the game being so vastly superior at what it does. To this day Koji Kondo's soundtrack for this is the one that strikes at an emotional level, where it never gets old. Characters are so well-made they stick with you and feel alive even long after you played through once again. Graphically it's still really pleasing, because the aesthetics are so good. Pretty famous for it's story that keeps you involved at all times, never getting less climactic and leading to a huge pay-off and closure. Dungeon and level design is top notch and so clever they can be learned from even now. So much excellent extra content in exploring, secrets, mini-games and collectables that actually matter and improve your character and enhance the gameplay and is fun to do. Combat has alot of puzzle elements imbedded as well, especially the bosses require finding a solution whilst in the heat of the battle. It's all controlled rather intuitive with the Z-targetting being used for the first time and the handy hotkey buttons for sidegrade weapons and items. The HUD was also non intrusive and nicely designed for the time. Navigating through the expansive open world and dungeon is made user friendly by the clear map system, has no problems with mulitple floors and levels. The array of gadgets and weapons to your disposal is astounding and let's you find several ways to reach your goal. Still playing it when I need to be reminded what games should strife to be like and I can't help myself but going for all the side content every time getting lost in the world of Hyrule. Expand
  70. May 10, 2012
    10
    We must remember the era of this games release. This game is a masterpiece. Challenging puzzles, an expansive world, a decent plot that can become amazing if you invest into it and an excellent soundtrack make's this The Greatest Game of 1990-2000
  71. May 6, 2012
    10
    The perfect mix of puzzle and action. One of the best games ever made.

    While the story wasn't as complex as some, the simplicity of it keeps the focus on the game play. It's easy to play the game just to beat it; but countless hours can be spent exploring new caves, and finding treasure to complete 100%. A must play!
  72. Apr 17, 2012
    10
    legend of zelda ocarina of time: the best zelda game ever an the first game on ign to get a perfect 10 and the only game on metacritic to get 99. im stuck at the forest temple but i played throught the last 3 temples. the bosses some times scared me an the sacred forest place guards make it even more fun. the shadow and water temples confused me and the shadow and spirit temple bosses were literaly awesome. i like the horse the only drawback was the skelechilds and the bigoron sword was a pain to get, but even these drawbacks were over come by the jaw dropping graphics and audio final comment: any one who hates this game should be locked up with this game untill they like it. Expand
  73. Apr 4, 2012
    10
    I have nothing to say this game is perfect. But the graphics not always correct but when you squeeze away by the atmosphere of the game you will even forget its shortcomings.
  74. Apr 1, 2012
    10
    This game was and is a masterpiece. Top 3 of all-time, maybe #1 for me (at least tied). The brilliance of this game will endure for the history of gaming. Absolutely spectacular....13 years later I'm giving this game the review it deserves.
  75. Apr 1, 2012
    10
    Best game ever. Best story, best sound track... Already forgotten how many times finished it.... And I continue playing... Ocarina Of Time is the best Legend Of Zelda game, and worth anybody's time whom intends to play
  76. Mar 20, 2012
    10
    Everything was incredible, beautiful and fascinating in Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The most awaited game turned out to be the best of all the times. It is not a video game is a legend.
  77. Mar 20, 2012
    10
    Someone **** AuraGuider, this is the best game EVER!!!, (After Skyward Sword)
  78. Mar 19, 2012
    10
    It's a masterpiece. A perfect game. Amazing graphics, great story and characters, brilliant soundtrack. It's my favourite game, my Top 1 after several great games.
  79. Mar 7, 2012
    10
    Easilly the greatest game ever made, when it was released, Nintendo took a huge risk, and it payed off, the enviorments still stand out to this very day, and the games music is some of the greatest in , the story is original, the characters are memorable, the controls are simple and fluent, it is a game flawless on all levels
  80. Mar 5, 2012
    10
    Ignore all the butthurt Call of Duty fans who rated this low. They're just mad that their series isn't the highest rated on Metacritic and has been named "Best Game of All Time" by many.

    While the graphics and gameplay may not have aged 100% perfectly, this is truly a great game and I wholeheartedly recommend it for gamers of any age or preference. Don't let the stereotype of "The Legen
    d of Zelda" fool you. This series is truly the king of all video games. Expand
  81. Feb 22, 2012
    10
    No more needs to be said about this game. The best game ever? I'm not sure but if any game has to have that title then I don't mind it being this one. Games don't come much better than this.
  82. Feb 20, 2012
    10
    Everything great about this game has already been said 1000 times so i'll just get to the point: This game is a masterpiece and while I don't think it is the best game ever, it is at least in my top 20 games of all time list.
  83. Feb 4, 2012
    8
    The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a creative, non-linear game with a vast world. The weapons and items are varied and unusual. There was side missions to keep the adventure fun and moving. The temples and bosses were well thought out. The warp songs are convenient, but hard to memorize. Time travel on top of all that made it a great quest. One of my friends said it perfectly when they said, "Can you think of a better game at the time?" My answer was "No, good point." There are a few problems I had with it though. The game kept abruptly stopping due to major perplexity and frustration, which stems from a lack of explanation or some subtle detail that was understandably overlooked. The game required the Internet more times than it required the ocarina. The beginning was mundane and underwhelming, but that was understandable because it was basically a tutorial so it was only irritating while you were playing it. Also, the water temple is agreed by most to be lengthy, repetitive, discreet, drawn-out, and questionable why the iron boots must be taken on and off an endless amount of times. At least, they fixed that in the remake for the Nintendo 3DS. Also, the fairy won't shut up through the entire game. She, or he, or whatever, wasn't helpful and kept interrupting gameplay for obvious info about the game. The only time I got peace and quiet is when I fought Ganondorf or when I shut the system off. I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares about it. My favorite temple was the forest temple and the shadow temple. Both creative and large, much like the game. I mentioned all the game's flaws, and not a lot of its strong points. I don't mean to say the game is bad, hence the 8 I gave it. I just didn't mention a lot of its strong points because all the overrated 10's that smother the page can tell you that. What they forgot to tell you was its flaws. Overall, great game, challenging, classic, exploratory, but, sadly, overrated. Expand
  84. Feb 4, 2012
    10
    This game is tied with A Link To The Past as my favorite game of all time. Good graphics that still hold up today, A good story, You can spend a good 20+ hours playing the campaign and still find things to do in the game. Its amazing.
  85. Feb 2, 2012
    10
    THE BEST GAME EVER MAID!!!! the best game of nintendo 64.Incredible history,its impossible not love this amazing game! And come others Legends of Zelda, but only Ocarina of Time, is in the heart of all gamers in the world!
  86. Jan 23, 2012
    10
    Just the best!!!
  87. Jan 9, 2012
    10
    The best game in the whole history. It doesn't matter which year you're playing it, the graphics are from a 64-bit console, of course they will be worse than a Ps3 game. This will ALWAYS be the best game ever. The first Zelda that changed all the other zeldas since than. Incomparable, a huge masterpiece, the best of all time.
  88. Jan 7, 2012
    10
    Whenever I find the rare game that I might give a 10 out of 10, the first thing I do is think 'Is it better than Ocarina of Time?' and always come up with no. This truly is the only game that is a 10 that I have played and probably the only one that exists. Remember, sometimes things become popular for a good reason (or because Will Smith is in it). The gameplay, story, length and puzzles all mesh together so well that this game can not be called anything but flawless. Expand
  89. Jan 2, 2012
    10
    The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is not only the best game on the N64 in 1998, but one the greatest action adventure games of all times. Does it hold up today? In my personal opinion, it holds up pretty well and was pretty close to perfection. The visuals may look outdated today, but you cannot deny yourself that the atmosphere in the destinations within Hyrule are mesmerizing to explore in this game. The locations, the character designs, the temples, the story and the soundtrack (especially the soundtrack) are absolutely memorable through out this game and this game practically made me became a Zelda fan in the first place. I could see why there are some people whether they are Zelda fans or not that they are too fond with this Zelda title. It's a bit identical to A Link to the Past on the SNES, but with 3D rendered visuals and there is a lack of personality within many characters compared to the later Zelda games where character personalities has improved in. However, for Nintendo to produce an engaging story for their first 3D Zelda game, it became forgivable for its time. This maybe a really overrated Zelda game, but there's a reason why people prefer Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as an instant classic. Expand
  90. Dec 23, 2011
    10
    Just play it, if you don't think it's the greatest game ever (considering it's time) then sell all of your consoles, give away all of your games, and never play a video game again, you are not worthy!
  91. Dec 15, 2011
    10
    I don`t know why but I have seen some people giving negative scores for this game. If they were wrong? YES, completely wrong! All I have to say is those people who gives low grades to this big of a game is either completely crazy, or is a hater, or do not know how to play the game and because of that gives it a low score. This game despite how old it is, still makes me fascinated with its cinematic effects and graphics(by the way, graphics doesn`t matter, what matters is the fun). I did not accomplished the entire game a.k.a. side quests, but I accomplished the main storyline and that was REALLY worth of my time, I simply loved this game, it made me a fan of the Zelda games, I highly recommend that you play it, you surely won`t regret it, it's as the critics says a Masterpiece. And I have to say thanks to Shigeru Myamoto and Nintendo. Now if you excuse me, I have a new adventure to set on Zelda: Skyward Sword! Expand
  92. Dec 9, 2011
    6
    This game is a bit above average but it's vastly over rated in all honesty. This is often considered to be the best game of all time. It is nowhere near there. There is a lot of filler material, such as having to traverse Hyrule field multiple times. All you're doing is holding the stick forward, no enemies to fight, nothing to do. The puzzles are extremely basic. For example, there will be a ledge that you want to get up to, but it's too high, and there is also a box nearby. I'd make a sarcastic remark but that doesn't translate very well through text so I'll just say it literally - The puzzles are pretty much "just put two and two together". There are next to no side quests in this game, and the biggest one is just a tedious fetch quest. The combat isn't particularly amazing either. The game is so, so easy. The world and the lore is interesting but why settle for that, when you can have an actual good game on top of that as well? If you want a real 3D Zelda game, go for Majora's Mask or Skyward Sword. Expand
  93. Dec 5, 2011
    10
    This is considered the best game of all time. There should be no negative feedback for the game majority of gamers considers the best game of all time, and since it has been out, only been rivaled with Super Mario, Zelda Majora's Mask, Zelda Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Uncharted 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, and now Skyward Sword and Skyrim. IGN say that Skyward Sword has surpassed Ocarina of Time. IGN and GameInformer both rated Skyward Sword a 10 and Skyrim a 9.5. IGN and GI are a lot of times biased towards Nintendo, but can't deny Skyward Sword is great.

    Ocarina of Time, is without a doubt, the funniest game of the Nintendo 64 especially for not being multiplayer, had more fun playing this than any multiplayer. It is the G.O.A.T, Zelda pathed the way for games like Skyrim, I hope Skyward Sword gets GOTY :), and possibly be considered the best of all time.
    Expand
  94. Dec 2, 2011
    10
    ¿El mejor videojuego de la historia? Eso es imposible para cualquier videojuego pero... ¿El considerado mejor videojuego de la historia? Si, y se lo ha ganado a pulso. Un clasico atemporal que no puede faltar en tu coleccion junto a otros juegos de su quinta como Meta Gear Solid, FFVII, Super Mario 64, etc...
  95. Dec 1, 2011
    10
    10 out of 10 is not enough for this game. If only Zelda OoT must get 10, then any other games are at most 7~8. It is useless to discuss the score of OoT, but anyway I'll give it 10
  96. Nov 30, 2011
    9
    Ocarina of Time is a great game, even today it's being hailed as one of the best out there, and it's one I would recommend to anyone who wants to get into Zelda. It's definitely a classic, and it and it's sequel are 2 games everyone should play at least once.
  97. Nov 29, 2011
    10
    Pure freaking magic, trolls can rage against the game as much as they want; when a discussion of the greatest game of all time comes up, Ocarina stands as king.
  98. Nov 28, 2011
    10
    One of the best games ever made. An absolute must play for everyone ever. If you call yourself a gamer and have never played this or Majora's Mask, you are a fail.
  99. Nov 23, 2011
    10
    there is a reason this game garners the respect and is revered like it is. cause it is epic. to do what they did with the limitations of the n64 and tombstone cartridge is nothing short of amazing. if you haven't played it through do yourself a favour.
  100. Nov 22, 2011
    10
    Among the best games of all time simply for being the most innovative game. Masterful gameplay, amazing sound track, a nice story, and the land of Hyrule to explore. A definite must have for any gamer.
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. 100
    This is, without a doubt, one of the all-time greatest games made. 50 years from now people will still be playing and enjoying this game... thoroughly.
  2. This Zelda adventure will undoubtedly withstand the test of time and take its place as one of the best games to ever grace a home system.
  3. My favorite game of all Time. It is the perfect example of a perfect and polished game. Every aspect of the game is virtually flawless.